Suspendometer



y 9, 1944- w. T. CARDWELL, JR 2,348,520

SUSPENDOMETER Filed June 5, 1942 l N V E N TO R I Willia T. Cakdwell Jr.

ATTORN EY Patented May 9,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE William '1. Cardwell, In, Whittier, Calif assignor to Standard Oil Company of California, San Francisco, Calii'., a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1942, Serial No. 445,942

6 Claims. (Cl. 285-44) This invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the relative capacities of fluids, such as well drilling fluids, to suspend small fragments I of rock, weighting material, sand and the like.

. Heretoi'ore various methods have been used to obtain an indirect indication of the property of a slurry, such as a suspension of clay inwater that is used in deep well drilling, to suspend drill cuttings, weight materials and the like, these methods including the determination of apparent viscosities, by measuring the time during which a given quantity flows through a tunnel or oriflce and the estimation of so-called shear strength by noting the distance a light strip of metal or a metal tube will sink into a quiescent body of the fluid in question. These measurements have not given directly an indication of the size of particles which may be suspended and this invention co'mprehends broadly a determination of this latter property by introducing a plurality of solid bodies of graduated sizes into a body of quiescent fluid, releasing them to sink through i cuttings and the like maybe determined directly;

and with a minimum of equipment so that addition of corrective materials, such as colloids and the like, maybe made at proper intervals, thus keeping the fluid at its maximum operating efliciency. g

It is an object of this invention to provide a relatively simple device which may be used by unskilled labor to determine the suspending propert'es of a slurry, such as a well drilling fluid.

Another object is to provide a simple and econo'mfcal apparatus which has a minimum of moving parts and critical dimensions and whose operation is readily checked.

Another object is tovprovide a device of this nature which may be immersed in a sample of the flu d to be tested and requires no accessory equipment except a means for measuring a preand shows the test bodies suspended in the upp r portionof the fluid.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional diagrammatic view 0! the apparatus of Figure 1 in which the suspending means have been withdrawn, leaving the solid bodies to sink in the fluid.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional diagrammatic viewsimilartor'igures1and2andillustratesan.

intercepting means moved back into the path of the sinking bodies in the fluid.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one embodiment of this invention showing the body suspending and intercepting means built into a cage or container ior'the test bodies.

As stated above, this invention comprehends broadly means for initially suspending or introducing a plurality of solid bodies of graduated sizes and predetermined density in quiescent body of the fluid whose suspending powers are to be determined, these means being adapted to be actuated or withdrawn to permit the graduated bodies to sink in the fluid ior a predetermined period of time, after which means are introduced into the paths of the bodies to intercept and segregate them according to the distance which they have moved through the body of the fluid.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figure 1, reference numeral ll designates any suitable container for the fluid II which is to be tested, the fluid being permitted to remain quiescent in container Ill for a predetermined time, depending in some cases upon the gelling or thixotropic properties of the fluid. The suspendometer, generally designated l2, which may consist of a suitable vertical handle l3 and a transverse shelf or ledge I4 is adapted to support a plurality of solid bodies l5, IS, IT, I8 and I! which may be glass or metal spheres or cubes or other conformations of appropriate density and having graduated sizes. for example ii ,5

- 36 and $5 of an inch. In this example the largest body is designated l5 and the smallest IS. Suspendometer I2 is introduced into the fluid II in container ill to a predetermined distance which may be limited by the length of handle I! and, after the fluid has become quiescent, the handle it is moved quickly toward the right, leaving bodies lito I! to sinkin fluid ll underthe action of gravity and against the resistance afforded by the viscosity, density and other factors which are characteristic of the fluid to be tested.

Desirably, handle it is provided with two or more intercepting means II and II vertically spaced below the transverse shelf means I. Any or all of the three means ma desirably consist of a shelf or ledge of sheet metal or metal screen.

minutes. the intercepting means and 2! are moved quickly to the left as in Figure 3, thus intercepting the sinking bodies It to it and segregating the latter according to the distance through which they have traveled in fluid ii.

The smaller bodies. for example I tend l9, may be retained or intercepted by the upper intercepting platepr screen 28 while the larger diameter and more massive bodies i6 and It will have traveled through a greater distance and win thus be intercepted by the lower means II. The location ofthe bodies may be determined by lifting the upper and lower intercepting means 20 and 2| out of fluid H by means of handle it. In this example handle I; is illustrated as connecting'the upper and lower intercepting means 28 and 2! and also the supporting shelf i4. Obviously. vari ous other arrangements. could be made without departing from the essential functions of these means as described above.

Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of this invention in which a reticulated container 22 is used. the openings being small enough to retain the smallest test body is but -still large enough to permit motion of the container through the fluid without unduly agitating the latter. In this example, the body supporting means it may consist of a shelf secured to one side oi the rec-- tangular container 22, intercepting means 29 being a similar shelf spaced below shelf I t and the lowest intercepting means 28 comprising the bottom of container 2a In this example container 22 is illustrated as being entirely closed, the handie it being secured to the top as shown in Figure 4. This is desirable to prevent loss of the graduatedsise bodies IE to it, etc, during the testing operation and also during the washing of the'bodies which normally follows each test. Provision ofatopisnotrequiredifcareistaken to retain the bodies within container 22.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that'an improved former apparatus has been disclosed for measuring or at least comparing the suspending properties of various slurries or suspensions of materials such as are used for drilling fluids. The apparatus disclosed gener ally comprises means for initially supporting a plurality of-bodies of predetermined graduated sizes at substantially the same level in a quiescent bodyof the fluid. The support is adapted to be actuated or withdrawn to release the bodies 50 that they may sink through the fluid during a predetermined time interval. the distance traveled being dependent upon the suspending properties of the fluid for the respective particles involved. Means are provided which may be spaced at predetermined vertical distances below the starting point of the bodies or particles to intercept the latter so that they may be segregated assasso I J according to or mass. Although specific ex- After a predetermined-time interval. for example ies 01 graduated sizes and uniform density. means for initially supporting said bodies in a quiescent body or said fluid, said support means adapted to be withdrawn laterally to release said bodies so that they are free to sink through said fluid, and means having a plurality of vertically spaced ledges adapted to be introduced laterally into the path of said falling bodies to intercept and segregate bodies that have traveled different distances through said fluid during a given time interval.

2. A suspendometer according to claim 1 with the addition of a reticulated container for said 4. A suspendometer of the type described comprising a container having a closed bottom portion, a pluralityoi' solid bodies of graduated sizes and uniform density in said container, means for supporting said bodies near the top of said container, and a pluralit of vertically spaced ledges in said container intermediate said supporting so tainer being at least partially reticulated and adapted to retain the smallest of said bodies.

5. A suspendometer ccording to claim 4, in

' which said container entirely encloses said means and said bodies, to prevent loss of the latter.

6. A suspendometer for comparing the relative capacities of fluids, such as well drilling fluids, to support rock iraments, weight material, sand of graduated sizes and uniform density, means for initially supporting said bodies in a quiescent body of said fluid, said support means adapted to be actuated to release said bodies so that they are free to sink through said fluid, and a plurality of vertically spaced intercepting means adapted to be introduced into the paths of said sinking bodies to intercept and segregate those which have traveled diflerent distances through bodies. said first and second named means bewhereby all of said means may be moved through means and the bottom of said container for intercepting one or more of said bodies, said ccnand the like, comprising a plurality of solid bodies 

